Prep girls basketball: Redwood rolls past Marin Catholic and into MCAL title game

The Redwood High girls basketball team was hot. Marin Catholic was not.

In a MCAL semifinal playoff game Friday night, Redwood built an insurmountable 27-point third-quarter lead and coasted away to a 44-30 victory over ice-cold shooting Marin Catholic.

The Giants (20-7), playing in their home gym, extended their winning streak to seven games and ended the defending league champs' MCAL run.

Redwood advances to Saturday's championship game against regular-season champion Justin-Siena (22-5). Game time is 5:30 p.m. at Redwood.

The victory was extra sweet for Redwood senior Chace Schornstein, who scored six points, grabbed 11 rebounds and dished six assists. Not only did the victory avenge Redwood's only loss since Jan. 24 — a 51-48 setback to the Wildcats — but it was also the first time in her four seasons the Giants defeated Marin Catholic.

"It was a playoff game and we were home against Marin Catholic — we were all pumped up for this one," Schornstein said.

Meanwhile, Marin Catholic coach Rick DeMartini could only shake his head as his team missed every shot imaginable in the first half, including at least a half dozen layups.

The Wildcats (14-13) suffered through a second-quarter scoring-drought of 4 minutes, eight seconds and followed that up with another scoreless streak of 6:02.

"How can you win a game when you do that?" DeMartini wondered aloud. "We must have missed six layups in the first half. So instead of trailing 18-9 at halftime, we could have easily been within a point or two."

Redwood took full advantage, especially in the third quarter when it outscored Marin Catholic 22-6 to end all doubt. Five different players scored for the Giants. Fearless freshman guard Jaiana Harris, who showcased a few fancy inside moves for layups, scored seven of her 12 points in the third period.

As usual, Redwood's senior forward Ariella Rosenthal was a steady standout. She scored a game-high 14 points, a bulk of them off of perfect passes from Schornstein.

"Last game when we played Marin Catholic, they played off of Chace and she took the bait by shooting too many perimeter shots," Redwood coach Diane Peterson said. "Tonight the plan was for her to attack the basket and then dish the ball from there."

Marin Catholic, despite its big deficit, finally found some offense in the fourth quarter. The Wildcats went on a 9-0 run to start the period, capped when Abby Langan swished a 3-pointer while falling down.

"I think early in the game we were a little nervous and rushed some shots that weren't open," DeMartini said. "But there's no question Redwood deserved to win tonight. They had a great game plan and executed it well."